For many of the children and families supported by The Roof of Africa, access to clean running water is something they simply do not have.

In many rural communities, families — often women and young girls — must walk long distances every day to collect water. These journeys can take hours and may involve difficult terrain, isolation, and significant safety risks, particularly for young girls travelling alone.

Without nearby water access, everyday life becomes much harder. Time spent collecting water is time taken away from education, childcare, work, rest, and family life.

This is why we have been working for some time on a programme to provide clean running water directly to vulnerable families.

The impact is immediate and deeply emotional.

The joy on a family’s face when they turn on a tap for the very first time is something truly unforgettable. What may seem like a simple thing transforms daily life in countless ways:

• Children can spend more time in school and studying

• Families have safer access to clean water

• Health and hygiene improve significantly

• Women and girls are less exposed to danger while travelling long distances

• Families gain dignity, stability, and greater independence

Access to clean water changes more than a household — it changes opportunity, wellbeing, and future possibilities.

The cost of installing running water for one family is approximately £2,873.

Through this programme, we are not simply installing taps or pipes. We are helping create safer, healthier, and more hopeful futures for children and their families.